General Advance Specials Promoted in NIC
The following international projects are being especially promoted in our Conference.
The entire listing is also available for download as a PDF document (Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 or higher required).
Africa Church Growth and Development, Africa, 08233T
The Africa Church Growth and Development Program has played a critical role in empowering African United Methodist leaders to determine the most urgent and critical needs for their annual conferences. Annual conferences have been able to build new churches in response to the growth in membership. Reconstruction of churches, education and health institutions, damaged by warfare, have benefited from funds received through this Advance Program. Babyfold at Old Mutare Hospital, Zimbabwe, 11713T
Babyfold is a home for orphan infants. For several reasons, cultural, social and economic, many infant babies are abandoned in Africa at birth. Multiple births, deformed babies, and some whose mothers die are often interpreted in a negative way. The result is a steady flow of infants in need of the babyfold. Bishops’ Initiative on Children and Poverty, 982200
This Advance Special provides funds to make grants to particularly creative projects initiated by congregations and conferences responding to the needs of children and the poor. Church Extension Projects, Oklahoma City, 583633
Church Extension Projects provides renovation of existing buildings and construction of new facilities in the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, representing 45 tribes from three states. Over the last two years, at least eight new fellowship halls, sanctuaries and other facilities have been built through Volunteer in Missions teams. The Church Extension Project assists in purchasing materials for the projects. Community Outreach Program for Children (CORP), India, 12424A
This Advance Special provides education, health care, nutrition and recreation for street children. This organization proposes going to more remote and needy communities with a focus on handicapped and street children. Community Outreach Program for Children now employs 125 workers comprising of professional social workers, a larger body of paraprofessionals, community-based workers and other helpers, recruited from the slums and villages. Ganta United Methodist Hospital, Emergency Program Support, Ganta, Liberia, (Girton), 10009A
The Ganta United Methodist Hospital is a full health care facility of the Liberia Annual Conference providing health care to 300,000 people. It offers both preventative and curative healing at the lowest possible cost in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. It has 65 beds and 2 operating rooms. The funds go for operating and normal maintenance costs. Henderson Settlement, Frakes, Kentucky 773365
Henderson Settlement provides child care, educational and developmental programs; agricultural and economic development; basic needs and housing assistance, and recreation for disadvantaged children, youth, parents, and the elderly in an isolated, impoverished Appalachian community. Official poverty rates range between 35% and 45% for all ages. Eighty per cent of the families with school children are either poverty level or low-income level. Employment opportunities in the service area are very limited and most available jobs are 30-45 miles away. Home of Love and Hope, Monterey, Mexico, 13244A
Advance gifts to the Home of Love and Hope will assist with home maintenance, provide social workers, medical personnel and other staff, purchase food, and help to meet other expenses in this ministry with older adults. International Colleagues Persons in Mission, 07685T Ishe Anesu Project (God With Us), Zimbabwe, 13071A
The runaway or abandoned children of Zimbabwe are vulnerable to the worst child abuse cases one can think of – rape, molesting, beating, starving and the like. They are the earliest targets for the spread of HIV/AIDS. The objectives of this project are to provide help to these children, to provide them with food, clothing, scholarships, shelter and love. They are being taught religious studies and family and social ethics. We will accommodate 15 children from 7 to 12 years of age. It will be necessary to include one volunteer who can help with cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the children. John Wesley Bible Seminary, Monterrey, Mexico, Scholarship, 08406B
Almost all of the students of the John Wesley Seminary need scholarship aid to pursue their studies for the ministry. The pattern in the past is that the student is expected to pay one-third of his costs. The fact is that many students cannot even cover their third since many come from disadvantaged families or from rural areas. Costs are low since the professors are volunteer pastors, but the students must be housed and fed, and materials must be purchased. The seminary could not exist without a source of scholarship aid for the students. Kafakumba Pastors' School, Zambia, 11438A
The Kafakumba Pastors School is located at the Kafakumba Training Center in Zambia. The Pastors School provides high-level training for 120 pastors and their families who come from all over Africa. Each pastor trains for a period of seven weeks each year for eight years. These village pastors return to remote communities where they take Good News about lives being transformed through Christ. They also take knowledge and skills to impoverished people and teach them how to have abundant life. Mary Johnston Hospital, Phillipines, 12396N
Mary Johnson Hospital is located in the heart of the depressed area of Tondo, Manila which serves thousands of people. The needed telephone system will facilitate the fast and effective transmission of communication that will connect different services of the hospital such as the outpatient department, emergency room, off ice of the social services, medicine ward, and other departments within the hospital. McCurdy Mission School Program Support, Espanola, New Mexico, 581479
McCurdy Mission School is dedicated to the development of the whole child and young people in the name and image of Jesus Christ through physical education, emotional and spiritual ministries. McCurdy also offers to all our students services to deal with the effects of a terribly high level of substance abuse (especially heroin and alcohol), family and community violence and gambling addiction. Methodist Center for Education and Training, Brazil, (Newnum), 11814A
The Methodist Center for Education and Training is a regional institution, with the goal to train national leaders for diverse ministries within the church, lay and clergy. The capacity is for 30 students in the Theological Seminary, 100 for the Evangelist’s course, and 200 in the course for people in local churches. The funds requested will help build and equip a library in this vital conference center and support teaching personnel. Methodist Education Scholarships, Indonesia, 13408B
Because of the monetary crisis in Indonesia, about 6 million students have dropped out of school. The Methodist Church of Indonesia is planning to support 1,000 students in elementary schools, 500 students in junior high, 500 in senior high and 100 students attending universities by giving them scholarships. The Department of Education of the Methodist Church of Indonesia will try to provide half of the funds, and the other half is expected form the Advance Special Fund. Milk Fund, Sierra Leone, 05720A
With a large number of displaced people in various camps throughout Sierra Leone, there are a large number of malnourished children. The purpose of establishing the milk fund is to offer help to orphans and children whose parents cannot afford to give them adequate nutrition. Mother-Child Health Project, Afghanistan, 13352A
The Hazara people live in the central highlands of Afghanistan. Twenty years of civil war, harsh geography, difficult weather conditions and isolation have brought suffering and deprivation to the Hazara people. Scattered village communities eke out a living raising wheat, potatoes and livestock, but there is famine due to harsh weather. Forty-four percent of the children die before they reach the age of 5. Severe malnutrition is prevalent in this area. Little immunization or primary health care is available. The situation is an urgent one. The project will encourage selected communities to participate in the learning, delivery and training of basic health care. Illiterate and poor women will become trained village health workers. Native American Comprehensive Plan, 982615
There are presently 191 Native American United Methodist ministers, congregations and fellowships that the Native American Comprehensive Plan currently works with. The Native American Comprehensive Plan held a Gatherers II event resourcing Native American ministries in the areas of health ministries and prison/restorative justice ministries, held an AIDS Symposium, and gave three grants for congregational development. The major goals for the next quadrennium will be to strengthen the existing Native American congregations, ministries, and fellowship. Red Bird Mission, Inc., Beverly, Kentucky, 773726
Red Bird Mission’s ministries are very diverse. There is a modern school, which serves more than 300 local children. Its strength is in its strong Christian Education program, which supplements a quality basic program. Through its Social Services program, a senior citizens center is operated, an 8 unit elderly housing apartment building is managed, meals are provided to the homebound, medical transportation is provided for those with a need. The aim of Red Bird Mission is to minister to the whole person in the name of Christ. Self-Help for Low Income Urban Families, Taejon, South Korea, (Bowker), 10456A
Self-Help for Low Income Urban Families helps with the continuing programs at the Taejon Christian Social Center and to develop programs of self-reliance for slum dwelling families. The established continuing programs include: 1. The Rose Club that cares for about 600 epileptics, providing them with medicine and doctors once a month. 2. The Heart Disease Clinic provides blood pressure reading, doctor’s examination and EKGs as need. 3. The Center provides a day of fellowship and lunch for senior citizens from the poorest areas once a year. 4. The Center has a medical clinic for senior citizens. A parents’ effectiveness training program is the next goal. Surviving Child Orphan Trust, Murewa, Zimbabwe, 14159A
The project, Surviving Child Orphan Trust serves the community of Murewa, Zimbabwe and caters to children between the ages of 7-15 years. Soon after being orphaned, the lives of most of the children dropped drastically to such an extent that they are almost reduced to beggars with nothing to eat, no clothes and no money for school fees. The aim of our project is to teach the children surviving skills, which they will be able to use back home in order to sustain themselves. We also intend to meet their social well-being, nutrition, clothing and health needs. Technical School, Yocumo, Bolivia, 12308A
The Technical School is located in a remote area in the lowlands of Bolivia. The school provides the only chance these students have to obtain a high school education. Most of the students are the children of mountain peasants or miners who have resettled in the area in hopes of improving their economic situation. United Methodist Mountain Mission, Kentucky, 771458
The United Methodist Mountain Mission provides clothing and household items to low income people at affordable prices, employing 60+ people in one Christian book store and nine clothing outlets and supports two rural United Methodist Churches. The Mission and stores are located in the mountains of Easter Kentucky in areas of high unemployment and low incomes. The prices charged in the stores allow anyone to provide for their family by themselves and provides jobs to the employee of the Mission. United Methodist Maternity & Health Center, Kissy, Sierra Leone, 14536A Vocational Education for Child Soldiers, Trauma Victims, Liberia, 12571A
Over 60% of Liberia’s youth were involved in combat during the civil crisis. The aftermath of war is usually violent crimes, armed robberies, etc. The psychological disorientation of child soldiers from the orgy of violence requires engagement in resourceful and tangible alternatives, such as vocational education. The objective of this program is to make participants self-enterprising after acquiring marketable skills. Wings of the Morning, Congo, (Enright & Vance) 08597A
The North Katanga Aviation program is a life-giving link between the most isolated bush areas and hospital and supply centers. Pastors, evangelists, church administrators, injured and critically ill person, medicines and relief supplies are moved rapidly and efficiently by what is often the only means of transportation possible. Wings of the Morning funds permit pilot training, constant upgrading of equipment, and mercy flights for those sick persons unable to pay.
UNITED METHODIST COMMITTEE ON RELIEF
Grace Children’s Hospital, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, 418520
Grace Children’s Hospital is Haiti’s leading curative and preventative treatment center for children and families suffering from TB. Grace has a 72 bed in patient facility that treats children with acute TB. Plans call for an additional 8 to 10 beds for children suffering from other acute respiratory infections requiring hospitalization. Over 4,000 patients are seen monthly in a wide variety of pediatric and adult outpatient clinic. Grace Children’s Hospital, SOLAR PANELS, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Caribbean General, 00442A Heifer Project International, Interfaith, 982530
An interfaith organization that attempts to alleviate hunger, poverty and environmental degradation by providing livestock and training in their care to needy rural families in the United States and around the world. Each family receiving an animal agrees to pass on the gift of the first female animal to another family. More than one million families in over 100 countries have been helped to become self-sufficient. The Medicine Box, 982630
To provide essential medicines to clinics and hospitals in countries in which basic medicines and medical supplies are lacking or needed due to sudden natural disaster. The program creates a Medicine Box containing 18 essential drugs and medical supplies in sufficient quantity to respond to common illnesses. The Medicine Box can serve a population of 1000 adults and children for a period of three months. Funds will help to cover the shipping costs. UMCOR: Disaster Response, International, 982450
Disaster Response, International provides funds to meet the emergency needs of persons around the world. Year after year, the greatest need of UMCOR is for undesignated funds to be used in Emergency Relief. Numerous major disasters occur each year for which urgent assistance is required. These include natural disaster caused by war and oppression, or unexpected emergencies experienced by people who live such a marginal existence that the slightest mishap becomes a major catastrophe such as; a bridge washes out, a hospital’s x-ray machine breaks down, or a roof blows off. Frequently, those already in great need are the most affected. Consequently, UMCOR’s efforts are often needed most by women, children, and the elderly. UMCOR will continue to act quickly and appropriately to touch the lives of women, children and men in their most urgent hours of need. UMCOR Disaster Response, United States, 901670
The Disaster Response, United States, enables the United Methodist Committee on Relief to respond to persons in need, following natural disasters occurring in the United States. The first phase of UMCOR response is relief. It takes the form of shipment and distribution of material goods (water purification tablets, blankets, tents, food, medical supplies and clothing) within the shortest time possible after the disaster. The second phase is cleanup. The work is difficult yet it offers opportunity for unskilled workers to help and to develop a missional relationship with victims. The third phase of reconstruction involves securing materials after the emergency period is over. The most important task of the church in a disaster is to give counsel to those who have suffered loss, both human and material. UMCOR Sager Brown Depot, 901515
This program produces several million dollars (in value) of needed items to locations globally each year. UMCOR has developed this program and now has constructed a 47,000 square foot processing/warehousing facility on ht historic property at the Sager-Brown Center in Baldwin, Louisiana. World Hunger/Poverty, 982920 Zenica Youth House, Bosnia/Herzegovina, 333640-2
All Youth Houses are designed to provide “normal” activities and opportunities to learn new skills, develop self-expression and learn conflict management techniques within a safe and youth-oriented environment. All classes and clubs are offered free of charge to any youth who wishes to attend. Concerts and drama presentations give the larger community an opportunity to be involved and become aware of the program.
OPERATION CLASSROOM SCHOOLS
Operation Classroom started in Indiana in 1987, with a commitment to upgrade the secondary education in selected schools in Liberia and Sierra Leone. With the civil war in Liberia beginning in 1989, and in Sierra Leone in 1991, it became apparent Operation Classroom needed to play a larger role in the life of the people than just education. We began to work with refugee schools, started a trauma-counseling program and became a partner with the Sierra Leone Annual Conference to upgrade the Kissy Urban Maternity and Medical Center. We are also committed to sending volunteer work teams and individuals to both countries to work with the conferences in meeting some of the physical and spiritual needs of the people.
Operation Classroom, 12922Y Baoma Secondary School, Sierra Leone, 11803N
Funds for the Baoma Secondary School will be used to upgrade the educational system. This will be done through seminars, college scholarships and other training opportunities for the teaching staff. Gifts to the Advance Special will be used for the library, counseling program, school supplies, equipment and textbooks. There is a need for upgrading and construction classroom buildings. Bo Centenary Secondary School, Sierra Leone, 12607A College of West Africa, Liberia, 10230N Fakunya Agriculture and Vocational Secondary School, Sierra Leone, 14539A Ganta United Methodist School, Liberia, 10234A Koidu United Methodist Secondary School, Sierra Leone, 11698N Makeni School, Sierra Leone, 11976N Mokanji Vocational and Agriculture Secondary School, Sierra Leone, 14542A Project Hands, 14544N St. Matthews Elementary & JHS, Liberia, 12829A W.V.S. Tubman-Gray, Liberia, 10231A
The W.T.V. Tubman-Gray United Methodist School was established in 1948 by Vivian Gray. Things were going well until the war in 1990. The school closed, opened, closed and opened during the war. The student enrollment is over 750. As the people are rebuilding their lives and trying to get reestablished after the war, it is vital that the Advance program continues to support and upgrade this school. Jaima Secondary School, Sierra Leone, 12613B
MISSIONARY SUPPORT
Go to the Missionaries page for information about how you and your church can support our missionaries.
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